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Grapegrowing and Water Usage

California supplies almost half of all fruits, veggies, and nuts consumed in the U.S. And we’re facing the driest year on record. The farms in our state use about 80 percent of all managed water, which is water that is moved around from one place to another. But when it comes to water usage, our crops are vastly different. Grapes, for example, use relatively little water, but nut crops, like walnuts and almonds, use a lot. So it’s no wonder our farms in the Central Valley are really hurting. The differences are actually quite staggering, and help explain the politics behind water demand this year.